Former Intel CEO and Co-Founder Andy Grove has an interesting proposition for his former company. He believes that the emerging market for plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids presents a major business opportunity for Intel to become a leading manufacturer of advanced batteries. While Mr. Grove retired in 2005 he still serves as an advisor to Intel’s leadership, including CEO Paul Otellini. This would mark a major divergence from Intel’s current business model, as it would be unlikely much of their current research could be applied to such a drastically different product. In the early 2000s, Intel tinkered with producing consumer electronics, but the idea was shelved after a short time. More recently, Intel has abandoned business units that did not closely relate to its chip business. There is no doubt that the potential exists for advanced batteries to be a highly lucrative product as the public becomes ever more aware of environmental concerns and automotive manufacturers begin to design more electric and hybrid vehicles. One of the main obstacles for GM’s Chevy Volt program is the lack of advanced battery technology to power it for a reasonable amount of time. Even though it would require creation of new departments from the ground-up Intel’s financial resources make it a possible, although currently improbable, business venture. Currently there is no word from Paul Otellini on whether Intel is actively considering Grove’s advice.

i think mr. grove is right about car batteries being in demand in the near future but i'm not certain if it should be up to intel to start making them. There are other companies out there that would be more suitable for it. If intel were to get into this business it would take away from its main goal of making CPUs, chipsets and other stuff. I guess if they do it and actually divert resourses towards this may be their CPU business will suffer and that will give AMD a chance to catch up.

i think mr. grove is right about car batteries being in demand in the near future but i'm not certain if it should be up to intel to start making them. There are other companies out there that would be more suitable for it. If intel were to get into this business it would take away from its main goal of making CPUs, chipsets and other stuff. I guess if they do it and actually divert resourses towards this may be their CPU business will suffer and that will give AMD a chance to catch up.

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Yes but he isn't telling intel to do it for the better of US, more like to better intel. By the way AMD is doing just fine on catching up. Checked the PII 6.0Ghz OC lately?

Anyway Intel going in this direction is definately a plus. Intel has such a large and highly skilled workforce, and it wouldnt be hard for them to expand into other areas. They do have many engineers/scientists, and processors and batteries are around the same field; in terms of chemistry and manufacturing processes. I'd really love for the end of petrol cars (actually end of everything that utilises fossil fuels) and the mass adoption of electric powered vehicles, but the limiting factor is the endless greed that oil/fossil fuel companies have, as well as their overwhelming influence.

Anyway Intel going in this direction is definately a plus. Intel has such a large and highly skilled workforce, and it wouldnt be hard for them to expand into other areas. They do have many engineers/scientists, and processors and batteries are around the same field; in terms of chemistry and manufacturing processes. I'd really love for the end of petrol cars (actually end of everything that utilises fossil fuels) and the mass adoption of electric powered vehicles, but the limiting factor is the endless greed that oil/fossil fuel companies have, as well as their overwhelming influence.

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to be fair - many "major" battery companies that have gone into the automotive battery market fail . . . their products aren't as reliable, are overpriced - the only thing that sells them is their name.

I've replaced more Energizer automotive batteries than I have any other brand, including the no-name el-cheapo stuff sold at some parts stores and Wal-Mart. Auto batteries, although similar to household batteries in theory, design and method of use, are a completely different breed - having to be able to withstand some of the harshest operational environments, as well as climatic and environmental factors.

Batteries used in hybrids are even more peculiar, and require completely different materials for the extreme loads and extended reliability required of them - while still being able to withstand the same that the typical auto battery must endure.

I'm not saying Intel couldn't pull it off, but the odds are very much against them.

There is no doubt that the need is there for better batteries for a wide variety of products (laptops, even) but, I somehow doubt that Intel has the expertise necessary to make it happen. It would be great for them to try but I certainly don't have my hopes up that they would be the ones to succeed.

The progress in battery technology is almost non existent over the last few decades, its about time someone came up with something that lasts a lot longer between charges and one that still holds charge of over 85% of its maximum capacity even after 3 years of use!

The current batteries for laptops for example only lasts around a year before they are completely useless at holding any charge for any reasonable period, the likes of Dell charge an ass raping £80 for laptop batteries!!!

Yes but he isn't telling intel to do it for the better of US, more like to better intel. By the way AMD is doing just fine on catching up. Checked the PII 6.0Ghz OC lately?

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yea, of course, and i'm happy to see that kind of overclock. but AMD is still behind 2 generations right now, when Phenom 2 comes out it will be one generation. Intel is going to have new 32nm CPUs in Q4 09 or Q1 10 and then they will be behind again 2 generations. AM3 will not be taking off until Q2 of 09 so you see what i mean. I'm hoping they are working on something like a new architecture to be released soon but according to their own statements it wont be around until 2011 which is very very late.

You know they would be the best of the best if they did this. Just think they build there OWN chips. SO they could make a sever farm like no tomorrow. A straight up supercomputer that no one in the world could pay for. They could, because all they would be paying for the the material cost then take the benefit of what they made.

Honetly the chips don't cost that much to make. It's the deportment time they are paying for I belive. So they could just make their money in the commercial market like normal, and take a chunk out of the returns to just build the worlds biggest supercomputer that could come up with things that you and me could never dream of.

I'm afraid a supercomputer wouldn't help much. New battery technology requires a lot of materials research which means getting your hands dirty mixing every single kind of metal that shows potential for storing electricity. That's why I think they don't have the expertise necessary. They'd be starting out as infants in a field with a lot of teens. XD